Raised in a Baptist Christian family, having a deep understanding and curious mind she accepted Islam at the age of 23. 

She is a graduate of University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in music and performing arts. Shortly after Donna would move to Basel, Switzerland where she would marry and began raising a family. 

Later back in the USA at thirty-three she would earn a second bachelor's degree in nursing specializing in labor and delivery, neonatal care and ambulatory care. 

In 2001, two months before 9/11 Donna and her husband founded Zakat Foundation of America, a renowned charity organization that operates in over 43 countries. There she serves as a medical consultant and health advisor. 

Being an avid traveler at heart, she has since worked and taught in the clinics of Southeast Asia, South America, and the Caribbean. She has helped war victims in the Middle East, provided aid in East and West Africa.  She has also provided medical care to refugees in North Africa during times of great conflict. 

In her spare time Donna sings, composes poetry, and writes about issues affecting African American Muslim women while confronting issues of racism within the Muslim community. 

Donna is the mother of four daughters, lives with her Turkish husband, two rescued parrots and three cats in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.